Prarthana Parda Dur Karo

This document is an excerpt from the Jain text "Prarthana Parda Dur Karo" (Prayer: Remove the Veil) by Acharya Hastimal. The central theme is the nature and purpose of prayer (prarthana) within Jain philosophy, drawing analogies to understand its core principles.

Here's a comprehensive summary:

The Core Analogy: The Matchstick and Fire

The text begins by explaining prayer through the analogy of a matchstick. When asked why a matchstick rubs against the firebox, the answer is to ignite, to reveal its brilliance. Similarly, human consciousness (chittavrutti) is like the matchstick, and the process of prayer is the rubbing against the divine (Parampatma). The ultimate purpose is to "burn" or ignite the dormant spiritual potential within the soul, revealing its inherent brilliance and power.

The Danger of Misdirected Efforts

The author highlights that worldly beings often waste their mental energy ("matchsticks") by rubbing them against worldly pursuits like wealth, possessions, and physical comforts. This diminishes their spiritual vitality. However, if the remaining energy is wisely directed towards prayer, it can still be used to rekindle spiritual brilliance and overcome past losses.

Prayer: The Methodical Connection with the Divine

Prayer is defined as the methodical effort of rubbing one's consciousness (chittavrutti) with the divine. In contrast, those who continue to fix their minds on worldly objects are likened to a foolish person who wastes their matchsticks by rubbing them against a stone, only to destroy them.

Homogeneity vs. Heterogeneity: The Key to Spiritual Ignition

The text emphasizes the concept of homogeneity and heterogeneity in spiritual interaction. The soul (Atma) and the divine (Parampatma) are considered homogeneous, like two similar substances that produce light when rubbed together. Material, worldly objects, however, are heterogeneous and lead to a decrease in spiritual light. This principle extends to interactions with others: discussing profound truths with wise individuals (homogeneous interaction) increases knowledge, while arguing with foolish people (heterogeneous interaction) leads to wasted energy, conflict, and loss of peace.

The True Object of Prayer: Igniting Inner Brilliance

The ultimate aim of prayer is to connect with those who have transcended ignorance, dispelled darkness, achieved equanimity (vitaragta) and omniscience (sarvadnyata), and attained infinite knowledge, perception, strength, peace, and happiness. This connection is about awakening the inner light of the soul.

The Innate Nature of Spiritual Potential

This inner light is not something borrowed but is inherently present within the soul. It is suppressed by layers of obscuring karmas. Just as oil is present in a sesame seed but requires rubbing to be extracted, or butter is in milk and needs churning, the soul's potential requires a proper process to manifest. Simply "crushing" the sesame seeds won't yield oil; a specific method is needed.

The Importance of Methodical Churning (Prayer)

Prayer is likened to churning milk to extract butter. However, the churning must be done correctly with the right tool (the mind) and by someone skilled in the process. The objective of prayer is to obtain the "butter" of divine consciousness (paramatmabhav).

The Unity of Soul and God and the Purpose of Prayer

Jain philosophy posits that the soul and God are fundamentally one (homogeneous), though their manifestations differ. Prayer and spiritual practice aim to bridge this perceived difference and realize this underlying unity. Those who achieve this through methodical mental churning are considered to have attained the divine state.

Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing the Divine

When a seeker embarks on this path, self-doubt may arise. They might question their worthiness to connect with the pure divine, given their own imperfections and afflictions (kama, krodha, moh, etc.).

The Prayer of Surrender and the Divine's Equal Vision

However, the devoted seeker presents themselves at the divine's feet, asking not to be judged by their current state but by their inherent potential. They believe that the divine's latent power within them can only be awakened through this connection. They compare themselves to a piece of iron seeking to become gold near a philosopher's stone or a diamond near a touchstone. The prayer, therefore, includes lines like: "O Lord, do not consider my faults. Your name is Samdarshi (equally seeing). If you wish, ferry me across."

The devotee acknowledges that while society discriminates based on lineage, strength, or status, the divine sees all beings equally, recognizing the inherent divine potential even in the most rudimentary life forms, just as in enlightened souls like Adinath, Parshvanath, and Mahavir.

The Power of Surrender and the Removal of Obstacles

The devotee surrenders their inner self, their heart, to the divine. They recognize their impurity but state that it is precisely because of this impurity that they are praying. The pure and enlightened don't need prayer. The analogy of a polluted stream merging with the holy Ganga and becoming purified illustrates this. To become like the Ganga (divine), one must flow with it for a period.

The "Veil" of Ignorance and Attachment

If the inner self is not united with the divine, and a barrier (a "veil") remains between the soul and God, one cannot attain the divine state, even over countless lifetimes. This veil must be removed. The text recalls the example of Arjunmali, who, after a life of violence, was transformed by merging with Lord Mahavir's teachings and losing his ego.

The Proximity of the Divine and the Veil

A saint is quoted saying that God is not far but very near, residing within the heart. The reason for not perceiving God is a "veil" or "screen" (taati) of deceit (kapat). If this veil is removed, the divine will be seen and will even shine within.

The Illusion of Self-Importance as a Veil

The veil can also be one's own ego – thinking oneself to be a great seeker, knowledgeable, wealthy, or high-ranking. Approaching the divine with such illusions, even in prayer, will not lead to the attainment of equanimity because the veil of maya remains.

Conclusion: The Accessibility and Ultimate Purpose of Prayer

Prayer is presented as an accessible aspect of spiritual practice, not difficult for any devotee with deep love for the divine. The text concludes that those who pray to the "Self-Divine" (Atmadev) become worthy of the "Shiva-Shakti" (divine power). Once this divine power is attained, the seeker is fulfilled and no longer requires prayer. The ultimate goal is the removal of the veil, leading to ultimate peace, awakening of divine light, and supreme bliss.